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Mevagissey
Image by Bob Northey - supplied by Visit Cornwall
Narrow streets and steep valley sides lead down to the centre of the old Mevagissey where the distinctive twin harbour provides a safe haven for the many fishing boats that land their daily catch of skate, lobster, plaice and sole. In typical picture postcard style, pubs, cafes, galleries and shops cluster around the harbour walls and line the pretty streets.
Named after two Irish saints, St Meva and St Issey, the village dates back to at least 1313 and during the 1800s Mevagissey prospered on the back of the abundant source of pilchards out to sea. Around the maze of streets you’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants that the village is renowned for and there is nothing more sublimely Cornish than tucking into some local scallops and mackerel and ending the evening with a walk along the harbour wall with lights of the village twinkling on the water.
Upcoming Events
Feast Week - Saturday 22 June 2024 to Saturday 29 June 2024
Mevagissey Feast week
Mevagissey has celebrated the Feast of St Peter since 1754 and it has evolved into afantastic week long community event. The village invites locals and visitors to join in the celebrations which take place during the week in which the 29th June falls.
It starts with Fish Sunday when delicious local food is cooked for you by our resident chefs at stands placed around the harbour, followed by an auction of freshly caught fish. Events In the week that follows will include brass, dance and rock bands performing live on stage, children’s entertainments, colourful parades, local choirs, traditional hymn singing around the village, a fishing boat race in the bay, a raft race in the harbour, several flora dances and an RNLI display!
On the final Saturday there is a wonderful traditional village fete. Great fun and games for kids and adults with more food including cream teas and strawberries, plus a brass band. This is followed by the great Carnival parade through the village, with beautiful costumes, dancers, bands and floats of all kind. Live music onstage In the evening brings us to the grand finale, a firework display over the harbour with stirring musical accompaniment.
Various Locations
Toshers Race - Sunday 23 June 2024
TOSHER’S RACE
The race takes it’s name from the local term given to the small traditional wooden boats which used to be commonplace in days gone by. Held on the first Sunday of Feast Week. Today many of the 64 strong Mevagissey fishing fleet take part. The boats make a fine spectacle dresed as they are in coloured bunting and flags of all description, loaded with their skippers and many friends, sounding their horns. The only true Tosher involved is Petrel, skippered by long standing timekeeper and race controller
Rod Ingram, who keeps an eagle eye on proceedings from his position inside the last marker buoy. Rod calculates the handicapped start times and sends the fleet on their way at specific times. The three mile race comprises two laps of the bay, following a course around laid marker buoys.
The race ends in full view of the hordes of spectators gathered along the pier heads ofMevagissey outer harbour.
Mevagissey Outer Harbour
